Superkev Can Play For His Club And Country

Niall Quinn says playing for Sunderland should prove no obstacle to Kevin Phillips' international ambitions.

England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson left Phillips out of the squad for the recent World Cup qualifier against Greece - despite Michael Owen being injured.

And that sparked speculation SuperKev might stand more chance of fulfilling his England dream if he was with another club - possibly one playing European football this season.

But Republic of Ireland record goalscorer Quinn doesn't believe that's the case.

"I don't think Kevin has to leave Sunderland to fulfil his international ambitions with England," said the 35-year-old striker.

"As a Sunderland player myself I hope that's the situation - and if you look at the amount of games Sven-Goran Eriksson has been at since he took the England job then, in fairness that suggests to me it isn't the case either!"

Quinn is one of Phillips' biggest fans, and has credited his strike-partner with giving his own career a new lease of life.

And the genial Irishman still believes Wearside can be SuperKev's springboard to the world stage.

"No-one has scored more goals than Kevin Phillips in the Premiership over the last two seasons and no-one can take that away from him," Quinn said.

"What he has to do now is keep concentrating on what he does best - and that's putting the ball in the back of the net for Sunderland.

"Because if Kevin goes on the kind of run which he is capable of this season, then it's going to be very hard for them to leave him out of the squad again."

Quinn, of course, harbours his own ambitions of representing his country at the World Cup in Japan and Korea next summer.

But for the moment the veteran striker is concentrating on taking care of Premiership business with Sunderland.

"I can't allow myself the luxury of looking forward to playing in the World Cup finals because we haven't got there yet!" he said.

"When you've been around as long as I have you tend to look at things month to month - and at the moment I'm concentrating on playing as many games as possible for Sunderland this season.

"But there's no way I'll be retiring until Peter Reid has had enough of me and says he doesn't want me anymore!"